The Current Nutritional Status in China

Based on data collected in China by the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System in 1990-2010, the National Survey on Fitness of Students in 1985, 2000 and 2005, and the 2002 National Nutrition And Health Survey, this chapter demonstrates the dramatic improvement in the nutrition of children under 5 and the growth of school-aged children and adolescents during the period of rapid economic growth in China. Now, there is no longer undernutrition in urban areas and the prevalence of stunting in the countryside has declined from 40.3% in 1990 to 12.6% in 2009. The median height of various age groups of school-aged children and adolescents in cities are close to the reference used by the World Health Organization (WHO). Overall, the study showed an evident reduction in undernutrition in line with the rapid economic development in China, although the prevalence of and trends in anaemia among children illustrated that rapid economic growth has not meaningfully improved micronutrient (iron) intake and that anaemia prevalence has not significantly reduced during recent years. Dietary and lifestyle changes have demonstrated benefits but have also demonstrated that nutritional factors are important risks in relation to the rapidly increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes and dislipidaemia. An analysis of the factors and challenges contributing to nutritional improvement is made with special reference to agricultural policies, together with a strategic consideration of nutritional improvements in China.